Bung construction



June 30, 1953 M. J. QUILLINAN 2,643,790

BUNG CONSTRUCTION Filed May 15, 1950 .With the liquids.

Patented June 30, 1953 r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUN G CONSTRUCTION Michael J. Quillinan, Bronx, N. Y.

Application May 15, 1950, Serial No. 162,013 9 Claims. (01. 220-39) This invention relates to a bung construction such as may be used in containers carrying chemical and petroleum products, but may well be adapted to other phases in the problems of sealing integrity facing related industries.

Bung construction has been limited in its development by the inability to manufacture a simple and efiicient flange to be inserted in the container wall. Such flanges require threaded portions with anchoring means provided for keeping the flange in a fixed relation with the container wall. The choice of flange, heretofore, has been limited by the number of operations required in its manufacture. Economy in flange production, proving to be elusive, has led to a compromising in the choice of suitable anchoring means. Unfortunately, some containers use a low grade type of metal whose qualities nullify such attempts at economical bung construction by being unsuitable to the operation of flange insertion in the container wall. Such bungs, where used, are not as leakproof as desirable, and are limited in the use to which they are put by their correspondingly poor sealing integrity.

As progress is made in the chemical and petroleum industries, varying behavior characteristics in the activity of the liquids produced necessarily limit the choice of bung, and the components thereof, which are to come into contact This presents a difficulty when both container and closure manufacturers would prefer to provide a single bung type, usable under all sealing conditions. The problem becomes more acute when the features of economy, bung proficiency, and ease of insertion, hereinabove alluded to, are considered.

Briefly, this invention provides for a solution of the above by adapting thread rollin tech niques, previously practiced, to the production of a flange that allows for the incorporation of a superior gasketing relationship of the bungs component parts while providing simple and sturdy anchoring means. A blank iece of steel is cupped and drawn a substantial distance forming a cylindrical throat and having a substantially flanged base portion about the lower periphery of the throat. The piece isthen placed. on a series of rolling dies which draw, swage and burnish the throat forming annular recesses and threads. The piece may then be opened forming a bung flange and the base portion polygonally trimmed. The resulting annuli and base portion are thereafter used as anchoring means wherein the 'container wall is received and about which it is polygonally embossed. An annular curl resulting on the upper'extremity of the bung serves to receive a novel capseal, and the threaded flange portion receives a plug constituting the gasket compressing means, all of which will be hereinafter described.

Accordingly, a primary object of the invention is to provide a rugged bung construction adaptable to all sealing conditions.

Another primary object of the invention is to provide a substantially mounted bung construction, fixedly, contiguously and nonrotatably attached to the container wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flange in'bung construction readily and substantially inserted in the container wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flange in bung construction that economically achieves sealing and anchoring means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bung construction, usable with all types of container wall material.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bung construction that is accessible and tamperproof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bung construction-having superior sealing and gasket seating components.

Still another object of the invention is to provide in a bung construction. a combination of economical components, functionally efficient in sealing all; types of liquids of varying chemical activity. J

Other objects of the invention will be manifest from the following specification which will be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the bung inserted in a container wall with accompanying closure plug and capseal in place.

Fig, 2 is a semi-elevation, semi-sectional view of the bung shown in Fig. 1 taken alon line 22.

Fig. 3- is an enlarged sectional view of a substantial portion of a modification of the bung shown in Figure 2 illustrating an alternate gasketing arrangement.

Fig. 4. is an enlarged perspective view of a substantial part of the sectional view of the bung shown in Figure 2.

Fig. 5 is another enlarged sectional view of a substantial portion of another modification of the bung shown in Fig.- 2.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the bung construction consists of a container wall and an annular flange, generally shown as It) and H, respectively. The flange has a flat base portion l2 The remaining free end portion of the flange. wall curls outwardly, upwardly and thence, in-' wardly upon itself, commencing at thezt'erminusa of the threaded neck portion M, thereby forming an annular curl I5.

The container orifice consists of an octagonally;

embossed portion l6 which matingly receives the flange base portion i2, registering therein snugly so as to be non-rotatable relative thereto. Enhancing this snugfit is thethroatportiontof the container wall generally shown: as; li-Fli in Figs:, 3, 4 and 5. This throat portion lt'l'tis circumferen tially expanded in the flange insertion operation, as at 18, so as to be substantially in contiguous relation to the contour of: the inner face of. the recess I3. The free end ofi the container wall orifice terminates in. a flat..lip-l.9.. which is sub..- stantially perpendicular to the axisof the flange II and container orifice.

For many purposes the hp 1.9.. will. prove to-be an adequate gasket. seat. For'other. uses it: will be preferable to curl the. lip l9 ataitsfree edge to form an annular collar 20'; as. will hereinafter. be described.

The flange insertion operationmay. beexecuted by drawing, embossing andperforating the con.- tainer wall to conform. to. the physical features hereinabove described, and thence outwardly expanding the container wall throat intothe annular recess 13 provided therefor; by a: spinning operation.

It will be seenthat the depth ofi'the: draw're quired to form the container wall throat: issmall relative to the width of the draw. grade metal, therefore, not requiring any" annealing, may be used in container. manufacture; Also, as the drawing and perforating; operation. is executed, the expansion-of thethroatcresulting from the spinning operation does not. cause undue stress or strain either of; the flange or. the malterial of the throat. This lack of excessive strain in the spinning operation is attributable to a compensating release of stressuniformly. about the throat opening as-expansionof the -throatais executed. 1

The expandedthroat thereby :securesfitlieflange ll against the-container \i'all preventingany upward displacement of the flange: ll f rom the co'ntainer. The octagonal base portion [2 stations the flange non-rotatably. relative to thecontainer wall. The recess 13, being of" substantial thickness, and external ofthe container throat: thus afiords a rigid protection against untoward blows on the bung incurred while thecontainer: is being handled. The lip l9: and collar-zzllf serve as a gasket seat sealing the liquidoff from the thread.- ed portions of the bung as will be hereinafter described.

A threaded member, hereinafter-referredto as a plug, and generally shown as-- 21-; isreceived within the flange wall and itsthreads 22- mate with the internal threads of the neck portion M The plug 21 substantially approaches in depth the neck portion l4. Theplug- 24- consist of a cylindrical wall 23 and a disc-like bottom portion 24. Cast therein are lugs 25 which act as wrench engaging means in removing and securing the plug 2| with the threaded neck portion 14 of the flange I l.

Residing below the plug bottom portion 24 .is a circular gasket 26 having a circumference comparable to that of the plug 2|, and compressed by the latter onto the gasket seats lip 19.

The gasket. 26-shown in Figs. 2;,3, 4 and 5 is not continuous, and therefore serves only to seal the closure. For some liquids it will be essential to provide a continuous gasket covering a substantial; portion of the plug bottom 24 in order that. the undesirable properties of the plug or the liquid will not bring about a coaction that will prove'harmful to either the plug, the liquid or both.

Referring now to Fig. 3, as has been stated, the ordinary demands of sealing integrity are satisfactorily metby the indicated; constnuctioni However, such; a sealing relationship,.in some instances, leaves much. to. be desired. .Where acute variations in climatic. conditions. will be encountered along with. an accompanying; long period of shipment,. gasket performance: slackens. While some ofj this is attributable: to. the gasket material itself,.a. substantialiparh of poor gasketv performance may be explained by the manner of compressing. present; day gaskets. There .is a point ingasket density. whereatsealing integrity decreases as increments of? gasketzcom pression continue,- especiallylif; the gasketing maiterialv is not. retained; during. compression: a confined area. Thisphenomenon is mademan-ifest by the cracksand furring which. appear: on gaskets after continued: use. in. gasket seats =v that distort and spread. gaskets: rather than; compress them.

To overcome the above; the bung construction provided herein allows. thesubstantial gasket compression necessary. to seal. a container. anda in addition supplies a. check to. any detrimental compression and distortion. This '1 is achieved by containing a. gasketnwit'hin a. gasket. seat so. as to allow unidirectional:application of: gasket. compression force.

Referring to Figs. 2; 4-.and* 5; a. disc-like plate 2Tis-r0tatab1y attached tothe. plug bottom. 2.4 by any means desirable, such as. gripping? the plate at its. centerpoint: 28 to: a knob::21-l=i on. the plug. The periphery of the' plateZJl: is embossed substantially asshown in: either! Fig. 4101': 5.. so that itsraised platformportloniam whic'h ispariallel to the plane of the plate Z Lengagesthe'flat surface of the gasket. 26; Th'e'outer: cylindrically peripheral side al of the plate, asshown in Fig; 5, .embracesthe outer. cylindricah surface of the-gasket 26, While the: inner cylindrical side 32 of the platform: 30 mateswi'ththeoutier surface of the annular collar 2910f thetcontainerswall I18.

As the plug, 2i: is-screwedi into the neck-.- 14; the plate 21 is displaced-1 downwardl thereby compressing the gasket Ziiretaihed between=the collar 20; the peripheral side oftheplatform fii the platform 3ll and-"thelip-l9l I The gasket- ZG-is compressed solely a direc* tion parallel tothe axis of the-bung. Moreover. the plate 27, beingrotatablerelative=to= the-plug 2 t, allows the gasket to remain implacawitl iout the-scuflingand. rubbing present other gasket compressing means when the plug is: screwed home.

Also; it will be seen that: the gasket seat-formed by the lip [El-and the-collar 20 perniits=the;plate 21 to be axially displaced a predetermined amount, although the plug 2imay continue to be rotated after the required degree of gasket compression has been obtained.

The plate 2? may, when necessary, be made from a substantially chemically inactive material comparable to the material of the container wall. Y

The fianges annular curl l5 serves a very important function. Many times it becomes desirable to place a capseal on the bung identifying the containers contents, and providing a tamperproof seal for the bung. Also as an added precaution an extra gasket of cork or some plastic may be added in the capseal to act as a second seal of the closure. Manufacturers often deem this additional gasket unnecessary and provide the capseal only as a measure to prevent bootlegging or other such practices on the containers contents. However, while such capseals are desirable, they must be durable and easily removable. The annular curl of this invention permits of such a capseal structure which is simple, economical and practical.

The capseal consists of a circular disc 33 of terne or light gauge metal, and a cylindrical wall portion 34 extending substantially perpendicularly upward from the plane of the disc 33 and integral therewith. Also, protruding from the periphery of the disc 33, are a number of tearing ears, 35a and 35b in the plane of said disc 33 and perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical wall portion 3%. The disc 33 is preferably scored or grooved on its under or upper face, and the resulting lines of weakness 3S and 3'] extend diametrically across the disc 33 describing a tearing strip 38 which connects the tearing ears 35a and 35?). A compressible gasket 39 is lacquered or gummed onto the-under face of the capseal disc 33 occupying a substantial portion of the periphery thereof.

The capseal is inserted in the confines of the inner annular faceof the curl 15 by a sealing tool. The capseal is placed on the surface described by the top face of the wall portion23 of the plug 2|, and the lower annular face of the flange curl I5; Slots 49a and 40b are provided on the flange for the reception of the outwardly extending tearing ears, 35a and 3517, respectively.

The operable portions of the sealing tool engage the inner face of the cylindrical wall portion 34, and expand the latter outwardly against the sloping inner face of the annular curl l5. The resultant of the operating force is a downward displacement of the capseal compressing the gasket 39 against the surfaces adjacent to 'the gap between the plug 2| and the flange H, and within the gap therebetween. The cylindrical wall portion 34 of the capseal is rigidly retained within the annular curl l5, and. the

tearing ears 35a and 35b extend freely outwardly therefrom.

In removing the capseal, a pliers, or other such comparable tool, is applied to the tearing ears and, with an upward exertion of force, the capseal cleaves along the lines of weakness 36 and 31 forming the tearing strip 38 as a consequence of the balance of the capseal being rigidly retained within the confines of the annular curl [5.

Where a capseal gasket is not specified, the capseal alone may be applied and removed substantially in the manner indicated thereby pro- 6 viding an adequate and readily destructible tamperproof seal as shown in Fig. 5. V

Thus I have illustrated structures and modifications thereof to which the bung construction claimed hereinafter will be addressed. While I have indicated a preference to a rolled flange as an article of manufacture, there is no reason why such closure constructions and sealing techniques may not be applied to a flange that is die cast, or otherwise formable.

Accordingly, lest it should be misunderstood, I do not wish to be limited in breadth or scope to the modifications described herein but rather contemplate a broadapplication to related arts and practices with a bung construction.

Having fully described the invention, What I claim is:

1. A bung having in combination a container wall mouth and a fitting mounted thereon, said fitting comprising a recess flaring upward and outward having a base projecting from its lower edge and a return projecting inward from its upper edge, a neck projecting upward from said return adapted to'receive a sealing member, said mouth comprising a complementary flaring open throat within said recess and return having a lip projecting inward from its upper edge adjacent saidneck and a skirt projecting from its lower edge, said base countersunk in said skirt.

2. A bung having in combination a container wall mouthand a fitting mounted thereon, said fitting comprising a recess flaringupward and outward having a baseprojecting from its lower edge and a return projecting inward from its upper edge, said base havin .a non-circular free edge, a neck projecting upward from said return adapted to receive a sealing member, said mouth comprising a complementary flaring open throat within said recess and return having a-lip projecting inward from its upper edge adjacent said neck and'a skirt projecting from its lower edge, said base countersunk in said skirt.

3. A bung having in combination a container wall mouth and a fitting mounted thereon, said fitting comprising a recess flaring upward and outward having a base projecting laterally from its lower edge and a return projecting inward from its upper edge, said base having a noncircular free edge, a neck projecting upward from saidreturn adapted to receive a sealing member, said mouth comprising a complementary flaring open throat within said recess and return having a lip projecting inward from its upper edge adjacent said neck and a skirt projecting laterally from its lower edge, said base countersunk in said skirt.

4. A bung having in combination a container wall mouth and a fitting mounted thereon, said fitting comprising an annular recess flaring upward and outward having a base projecting laterally from its lower edge and a return projecting inward from its upper edge, said base having a non-circular free'edge, a neck projecting upward from said return adapted to receive a sealing member, said mouth comprising a complementary flaring open throat within said recess and return having a lip projecting inward from its upper edge within the inner face of said neck and a skirt projecting laterally from its lower edge, said base countersunk in said skirt.

5. A bung having in combination a container wall mouth and a fitting mounted thereon, said fitting comprising an annular recess flaring upward and outward having a base projecting outward from its lower edge and a return projectaura-at ing ihwardfrom it's-upper edge, said base having a polygonal free-edge, a neck projecting upward fromsaid return adapted-to receive a sealing member, said mouth comprisinga' complementary flaring throat within saidrecess'andreturn having a free edge in-the formof alip clearing the inner face of I said neck projecting inward from said throat, a skirt projecting out-ward from the lower edge of saidthroat having' said base countersunk therein;

6. A bunghaving in combination acontainer wall mouth and a fitting mounted thereon, said fitting comprising a recess flaring upward and outward having a base projecting from its lower edge and a return projectinginwardfrom its upper edge, said base having a non-circular 'free edge, a neck projecting upward from saidreturn, sa-idmouth comprising a complementary flaring open throat within said recess and return having a lip projecting inward from its upper edge clearing the inner face of said neck and' a skirt projecting from its lower edge, said base countersunk in said skirt, said lip having a' collar projecting from its free edge, a gasket seated on said lip, a plate seated on said gasket, a plug in threaded engagement with said neck, means rotatably mounting said plate beneath said plug.

7. A bung having in combination a container wall mouth and a fitting mounted thereon, said fitting comprising a recess flaring upward and outward having a base projecting from its lower edge and a return projecting inward from its upper edge, said base having a non-circular free edge, a neck projecting upward from said return, said mouth comprising a complementary flaring open throat within said recess'and return having a lip projecting inward from its upper edge clearing the inner face of said neck and a skirt projecting from its lower edge; said base countersunk, in said skirt, said lip having a collarprojecting from its free edge, a gasket seated on said lip, a plate seated on said gasket having a peripheral edge projecting downward around said gasket, a plug threaded to said neck, means rotatably mounting said plate beneath said plug.

8. A bung having in combination a container wall mouth and a fitting mounted thereon, said fitting comprising a recess flaring upward and outward having a base projecting from its lower edge and a return projecting inward from its upper edge, a' neck projecting upward from said return, s'aid mouth comprising a complementary flaring open throat; Within said recess and return having a lip projecting inward from its upper edge clearing the inner face of said neck and a skirt projecting from its lower edge, said base countersunk in said skirt, sealing means seated on said lip including a capseal having a fi'at bottom and at least one tearing ear projecting fromthe periphery of said bottom, said neck having a gap-permitting said ear to pass therethrough', apair of lines of weakness terminating at sides of'said ear, said gap, and said bottoms periphery, acapseal wall projecting upwardly from' the peripheral edges of said bottom commending at either side ofsaid pair of lines and said gap, said capseal wall embraced by and immovable with respect't'o said neck-'sfree edge.

9; A bung having in combination acontainer wall mouth and a fitting mounted thereon, said fitting comprising a" recess flari'ngupward and outward having a base projecting from its lower edge" and a return projecting inward from its upper edge; said mouth comprising acomplementary flaring open throat within said recess and return having a lip projecting inward from its upper edge and a skirt projecting from its lower edge; said base countersunk in said skirt, a threaded neck projecting upward from said return surrounding said lip, said neck being characterized in section by a zig-zag progression along the sides of said neck commencing at the plane of said return.

MICHAEL J. QUILLINAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

